Allen, 39, did a good job as the Broncos defensive coordinator in his first year. The Broncos defense improved in virtually every category this season.

Defensive stars Elvis Dumervil and Brian Dawkins are in Hawaii preparing for the Pro Bowl this week. Both said they were shocked at the news but happy for Allen personally to get a head coaching job.

The Broncos now have to go shopping for their seventh defensive coordinator in 7 years. Possible replacements for Allen include former Jacksonville Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio and Broncos Linebackers Coach Richard Smith.

Fox Sports and ESPN reported that Allen and the Raiders were still working out final details of the agreement. So far the Raiders have not confirmed the hiring.

Allen will be the first Raiders coach with a defensive background since late owner Al Davis hired John Madden before the 1969 season. Davis exclusively hired offensive coaches after Madden, including Mike Shanahan and Hue Jackson, who was fired after going 8-8 this year in his only season on the job.

Allen had served as New Orleans’ secondary coach the previous five seasons and also had coached for Atlanta before he joined the Broncos.

One Comment

Judging from the Raiders’ previous record, Allen should probably just apply for a sabbatical leave. While I have absolutely no positive feelings about the Raiders, I wish him good luck, except for two games a year. :>)

As a Raider Fan I can’t deny what you said about our previous record but one thing everyone that keeps bringing our previous record with coaches seems to forget is that there is new leadership in town and a GM for the first time in many many years so why you might want to think that the it’s the same old Raiders it would seem that the winds of change are blowing in Oakland. So I think Allen was a great hire and we will see how it all pans out in the long run.